Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius cumingii, commonly known as Two-spot Barb, is a Sri Lankan freshwater species found mainly from Kelani to the Gin basins. It was introduced into the Mahaweli basin and is now well distributed between Gampola and Ginigathena. Yellow-finned species usually occur in flowing waters, close to the substrate, while red-finned species are found in the marshes of the Kelani Valley foothills.
PH: 6.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 22°C – 27C (72 – 81F)
Hardness: 4 – 18 dH
Description: Puntius cumingii can reach a maximum length of 5 cm. There are two types of Puntius cumingii: the red-finned and yellow-finned varieties. The red-finned species will prefer a lower water current and will spend more time in the substrate than the yellow-fin. Males are slimmer than females and have a brighter coloration. The Two-spot Barb can live up to six years.
Diet: The Two-spot Barb is an omnivorous species that will feed on algae, detritus and plankton. In an aquarium environment, you should add some sinking wafers as a supplement to these foods.
Breeding: Puntius cumingii, an egg scatterer, does not display parental care; remove the adults immediately once the eggs appear. Provide a spawning mop or fine-leaved plants when attempting to breed the species. This species can be spawned in groups if necessary. Eggs will hatch in 24 – 48 hours and the fry can be fed on Infusoria before switching to freshly hatched brine shrimp at a later date.
Comments: You should tank this species in a tank with a capacity of at least 27 gallons. Add plenty of driftwood branches, surface vegetation and hardy plant species to your tank, and leave large open swimming spaces. You will need a dark substrate and dim lighting in order to see this species’ true colours. The Two-spot Barb is fairly undemanding and is highly recommended to beginners.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: Puntius cumingii is a lively schooling fish that should be kept in groups of at least 8 – 10. You could try housing this species with other Sri Lankan stream-dwellers, such as Devario aequipinnatus, Devario malabaricus, Puntius titteya, and Rasbora vaterifloris.
Originally posted 2010-01-18 08:32:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Comments on this entry are closed.